The Parkscope Podcast
317 episodes - English - Latest episode: 30 days ago - ★★★★ - 109 ratingsThe Parkscope Podcast is an irreverent look into the world of amusement parks and themed entertainment. Our show covers everything - from regional roller coasters to multi-billion dollar themed attractions and everything in between.
EXPLICIT WARNING: Some adult language, situations, and beverages occur. It's all PG-13 fun.
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Episodes
Present & Future of Universal Orlando with Brian
March 26, 2024 23:36 - 54 minutes - 52.9 MBBrain from Inside Universal is here to talk about Universal Orlando's good, bad, and baffling decisions - from Kong 2D to refreshed restaurants to late attraction openings. Then we talk about DreamWorks Land, Epic Universe, How to Train Your Dragon, and more!
Epic Universe Announcement + Super Nintendo World with Alex
February 24, 2024 18:12 - 1 hour - 68.3 MBIt's Joe and Alex (and Beyonce) this time as they cover the Epic Universe announcement, Alex's west coast trip, and Super Nintendo World at USH.
Eulogy of Sleep No More (Plus, Here Lies Love)
January 19, 2024 09:00 - 3 hours - 174 MBA massive two-parter of a podcast that should last you through the winter! Joe and Jeff talk theater with friends - including an in-depth look at Sleep No More, the theater show that inspired the Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser. Part 1 - Sleep No More (0:00:00) Joe and Jeff are joined by Kyle to discuss the immersive theater production Sleep No More. After over 5000 performances spanning over a decade, the show is scheduled to close later this year. What is it? How did it begin? What is it...
DINKWAD
December 16, 2023 15:53 - 2 hours - 128 MBJoe and Alex are live, in person, looking at each other across a table in this very very late podcast! Alex goes to Walt Disney World and rides Rat, Tron, and Guardians! Joe sees Josh Gadd and Idina Manzel on a Broadway stage together and then travels with newbies to Universal Orlando. Plus some Epic Universe talk!
10 Year Anniversary: We Are Here to Change The World
September 21, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBHappy 10 Year Anniversary to this stupid little show. Thank you for supporting us, enjoy. Cya on October 1. ----- Fantastical Beasts, Universal Decade, Future of IoA, Captain Eo, and more.
Alex Goes To Europe & Everything Blows Up
September 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 112 MBJoe and Alex discuss the full Halloween Horror Nights reveal before diving into Alex's big big big European coaster trip. Then we face a bunch of tech issues, Joe talks about Broadway, and we end with a laugh.
Minion Land, DreamWorks, and Epic Universe with Alicia Stella
August 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 75.3 MBToday, Joe is joined by the prolific theme park writer and video producer, Alicia Stella! In this episode, we discuss pickles, escape rooms, Minion Cafe, Villain-Con's pros and cons, USF's 2024 additions, and finally Epic Universe! Orlando Park Stop Theme Park Stop
Double Feature with Mike, Nick, and Hunter
June 01, 2023 09:00 - 2 hours - 155 MBMike & Nick Go To L.A. Mike and Nick return to the show to discuss their trip to L.A.! Mike experiences Disneyland for the first time and both are flummoxed by Universal Studios Hollywood. Featuring brutally honest reviews of Super Nintendo World. The Legend of Zelda - Buy the Express Pass (1:24:45) Joe is joined by Hunter from Grim Grinning Hosts, Catacombs of Halloween Horror Nights, and DIS-Order to discuss all the recent theme park hot goss. Everyone is getting into the closing attrac...
Alex & Friends
May 07, 2023 00:27 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBJoe and Alex talk about all the modern things in amusement parks - Hypersonic XLC, Poseidon's Fury, and last year's Halloween Horror Nights! Plus we talk about Alex's last minute trip to Universal, Hersheypark, and no F1 talk!
Parkscope the Reboot
April 01, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBHello world! After a hiatus, the show is back! Joe has RSV or something and is joined by Andrew Hyde from In The Loop fame. We discuss Kennywood safety, Dynamic Attractions filing for bankruptcy protection, Disney sobers up and realizes they have a capacity issue, and finally Universal's new parks.
Parkscope Podcast 5 - June 2022 Trip Report
June 30, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 68.2 MBJoe and Brian discuss the news and their last Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Trip!
Parkscope Podcast 4 - Cosmic Rewind Impressions
June 01, 2022 01:07 - 10 minutes - 9.98 MBBrian and Joe are sitting on a balcony at Bay Lake Tower discussing Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.
Parkscope Podcast 3 - Animal Kingdom Lodge, Babies, and Genie+
May 05, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBSean goes to Walt Disney World for the first time as a family! Nick sits in! Joe asks questions. Genie+ is purchased, rides are rode, kegs will be tapped, men will be used.
Parkscope Podcast 2 - Star Wars Galactic Starcruser
March 31, 2022 09:00 - 2 hours - 163 MBThe eagerly awaited Star Wars Galactic Starcruser themed experience/on-land cruise/LARP has opened! Turns out, friends of the site David Daut and Hastin are fans of interactive themed spaces AND attended the inaugural Halcyon voyage. All aspects of the experience are discussed, from arrival to departure, including many spoilers.
Parkscope Podcast 2 - Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
March 31, 2022 09:00 - 2 hours - 163 MBThe eagerly awaited Star Wars Galactic Starcruser themed experience/on-land cruise/LARP has opened! Turns out, friends of the site David Daut and Hastin are fans of interactive themed spaces AND attended the inaugural Halcyon voyage. All aspects of the experience are discussed, from arrival to departure, including many spoilers.
Parkscope Podcast 1 - Iron Gwazi, Ice Breaker, FLY, and Harry Potter NYC VR
March 01, 2022 00:08 - 1 hour - 92.3 MBWe hear reboots are all the rage now so lets reboot this podcast! Alex and Joe discuss their recent trips along with a little bit news about Disney's new planned community. Topics Include: -Disney StoryLiving -Iron Gwazi review -Ice Breaker review -Fantasialand & FLY review -Harry Potter NYC Virtual Reality Experiences -Joe's Broadway trip! Music Man with Hugh Jackman, Hadestown, Company, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Pints with Parkscope - HHN30 Pt 2
September 11, 2021 19:12 - 36 minutes - 34 MBJoe is back from Orlando and recording well before 2am. This episode he's going further in-depth on HHN30 as he explains his choices while writing the Touring Plans review of the event.
Pints with Parkscope - HHN30 Hot Takes
September 04, 2021 06:28 - 8 minutes - 7.58 MBIt’s 2am and Joe is in his Dockside room with some HHN30 hot takes. Not a review just first impressions.
Pints with Parkscope: Das Boot Episode - Bad Social Media, Fat Phobia, and Horror Nights
August 28, 2021 19:57 - 1 hour - 66.2 MBJoe drove to Columbus to be with his parents and Mike is drinking away a hurricane. Today's topics include Universal Studios Hollywood's very bad, very dumb, fatphobic tweet; the public backlash to perceived "fatphobia" at Universal in attraction design and test seats; and some more talking about Halloween Horror Nights
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #218 - Disney Genie and Laughing Lane (Plus HHN30) with Hastin and David Daut
August 23, 2021 05:00 - 2 hours - 124 MBWell, Disney, ya finally did it! After lots of rumors, speculation, and angst, the stateside Disney Parks have announced Disney Genie and Lightning Lane products. This week Joe is joined by Hastin and David Daut to discuss the new products, our thoughts, our worries, and where the puck is going with the Disney Parks. Then we switch gears to discuss HHN30 and David's first trip to the event.
Pints with Parkscope #1 - NBA Experience
August 20, 2021 09:00 - 21 minutes - 20.4 MBThis coming September will be the 8th anniversary of our podcast. Eight. Years. Since then we've had marriages, births, and moved all over the place. One big change is also our lack of time. As you might have seen the podcast has gotten more and more infrequent over the years as the gang just can't get together as much as we used to. Look, when you have a job, a house, a wife, and a kid you just don't have the 90 minutes to sit down on Skype and talk about theme parks. So lets try somethi...
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #217 - Halloween Horror Night 30 Hype
August 14, 2021 18:38 - 1 hour - 89.3 MBWe're back baby! Joe! Mike! Ann! We're all slightly tipsy as we discuss Halloween Horror Nights 30 and tackle some "questions" from the UOAP Facebook group.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #216 - Race Cars and VelociCoaster
July 03, 2021 17:47 - 1 hour - 102 MBUniversal announced HHN details, Disney brought back fireworks, and more huge news out of the theme park community. And we talk about none of it. Instead we discuss our various trips around the country including Alan riding VelociCoster, visiting Legoland, musing on Orlando, and Snake River Expedition. Then Alex joins in with thoughts on the new Jersey Devil coaster. Plus some auto racing discussion.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #215 - #DefendTheShed
June 11, 2021 00:50 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBLow-fi theme park podcast to chill and vibe to this week as Joe and Sean discuss their big mega Memorial Day trip through Ohio. Join us as Sean discovers Hoof Hearted, the magic of the Flight of Fear preshow, Mystic Timbers, Jacobs Field, Melt, Steel Vengeance, Maverick, Ballpark Mustard, and more!
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #214 - Ride DLC
May 21, 2021 00:51 - 1 hour - 98.3 MBOn this week's podcast, Joe and Alan discuss CDC's lifting of mask mandates for vaccinated people, what that means for the theme parks, and how we perceive discomfort with rapid changes. Then we dive into the WEB Shooters featured in Disney's WEB-slingers attraction and how it could work or go really, really wrong. Then Joe discusses his trip to Hersheypark and Alan talks about his trip to Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe. Finally, we close out the podcast discussing theme par...
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour- #213 Lock Down Baby [Fixed]
May 09, 2021 17:59 - 1 hour - 71 MB[Due to an editing mistake some audio tracks overlapped with the last upload. This one has that fixed.] Hey duders, this week Joe is joined by an above-average Disney nerd, Danny! We discuss the return of the Disney College Program, Project Kiwi, WDI R&D, ops vs creative, the Disney Wish, and Disneyland's reopening. Then we dive into Danny's ride on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster!
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour- #213 Lock Down Baby
May 06, 2021 21:51 - 1 hour - 70.2 MBHey duders, this week Joe is joined by an above-average Disney nerd, Danny! We discuss the return of the Disney College Program, Project Kiwi, WDI R&D, ops vs creative, the Disney Wish, and Disneyland's reopening. Then we dive into Danny's ride on the Jurassic World VelociCoaster!
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #212 - Boop Card
April 30, 2021 02:38 - 1 hour - 94.1 MBTrip reports a-hoy as Sean returns from his first visit to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. Then Alan discusses his mega Nevada trip including leaking bathroom light fixtures, resort fees, Freemont Street, fainting in a Chi-Fil-A, and the incredible Omega Mart in Area 15! Plus Alex listens in and Joe grabs a spot of tea.
Immersive Irony Experience Theme Park Podcast - Hope For Tomorrow Memorial
April 06, 2021 01:54 - 2 hours - 154 MBAlex and Alan both go to Texas but to do extremely different things and experience a world where the pandemic is treated as though it's imaginary. Some parks we think aren't good got acquired! California parks are reopening! Thrill as Alan defers to the people of Anaheim as to determine what's best for them!
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #211 - The March 2021 News Episode
March 27, 2021 01:01 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBJoe and Sean rejoin to discuss the news of the past few weeks! We talk Horror Nights news, WDW's 50th, Epic Universe, Disneyland, our upcoming trips, and more.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #210 - Super Mega Trip 2021
March 19, 2021 16:20 - 1 hour - 90.9 MBWe're back! Joe just got back from a huge Orlando trip with his sister Rachel, so she's on the podcast this week! We go through everything we did on the trip including firsts for Rachel such as ALL of Universal, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, Slinky Dog Dash, Homecomin', and more! We discuss the delights, the triumphs, the pitfalls, and the disappointments of the trip PLUS our thoughts on Flower & Garden and Mardi Gras.
Immersive Irony Experience Theme Park Podcast: Covid Memorial Episode
March 01, 2021 02:02 - 1 hour - 97 MBAlan and Alex discuss Kentucky Kingdom's acquisition by Herschend, Discovery Cove and Universal Orlando visits, Pigeon Forge, and trying to escape confrontation about leaving the house once in a while.
Parkcope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #209 - Toad Gets Owned
February 07, 2021 17:34 - 1 hour - 88.8 MBJoe gets a G&T, Sean talks about the Jungle Cruise, we contemplate the name of the show, and discuss what is coming in the future. PLUS we discuss all the video coverage of Super Nintendo World, from Mario Kart to Yoshi Adventure to the interactive elements. Sean and Joe also ask the questions about why an unbuilt or demolished attraction always garners more interest than something built.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #208 - Lost Vegas
January 22, 2021 02:11 - 2 hours - 118 MBWelcome to the Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour, your #1 Yusuf Islam and folk podcast! In this week's episode, we discuss Disneyland canceling annual passes and the future of that program before doing a deep dive into Las Vegas' lost history of themed entertainment. We discuss how Vegas ended up in the position it found itself in the 80s, the Mirage, free entertainment, lost attractions, closed parks, where things went wrong, and more.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #207 - Our Favorite Things of 2020
December 31, 2020 16:32 - 1 hour - 82 MBIt's our holiday special as Joe, Sean, and special guest David Daut discuss our favorite things of 2020! We give our top pics of video games, podcasts, books, movies, television shows, music, and YouTube in this year of shit. Plus we discuss a rare Captain Eo print on eBay and Super Nintendo World leaks. Here's an expanded list of our favorite things with links to places to find them! Ted Lasso (AppleTV Paid) Schitt's Creek (IMDB TV for Free) Persona 5 Royal (PS4) 13 Sentinels Aegis Rim...
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #206 [Fixed] - Mario's Daddy
December 19, 2020 16:28 - 1 hour - 77 MBAlex and Joe discuss the news of the week including Dezerland opening in Orlando, Six Flags attraction delays, Lightning Rod updates, Kings Island Camp Cedar, and the Nintendo Direct reveal of Super Nintendo World. Plus Alex gives his review of Endless Summer - Dockside.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #205 - Tony & Tina's New Order Wedding
December 08, 2020 17:25 - 2 hours - 151 MBIt is Alan, Alex, and Joe this week as we touch on some VelociCoaster and Super Nintendo World news before diving into a last-minute Orlando trip for Alan. We discuss driving, vacation homes, Gatorland, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, we praise Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Star Wars Galaxy's Edge discussion, and more!
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #204 - Grinch is Gonna Get You with Shelby and Hunter
November 06, 2020 00:46 - 1 hour - 69.5 MBHow's everyone's week going? Well? Quiet? Calm? Joe invited special guests Shelby and Hunter to distract themselves from *waves arms* to discuss theme parks! We talk about the Beetlejuice house surprise opening, our final thoughts on Universal's fall 2020 Halloween event, HHN Facebook, what Halloween 2021 will bring, Puppet Theatre, reopening hotels, Christmas decorations, Holiday Tribute store, and much much more! Follow Shelby on Twitter, listen to her on Catacombs of Halloween Horror Nig...
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #203 - Halloween Horror Lites
October 20, 2020 22:09 - 1 hour - 66.5 MBIt's a late-night party as Joe drink some white wine with Mike! We discuss the latest Apple event, Jurassic World Velocicoaster announcement, then dive into Mike's trip to Universal Orlando to experience their Halloween event.
Immersive Irony Experience Theme Park Podcast: Summer 2020 Memorial Episode
October 02, 2020 00:10 - 2 hours - 58 MBAlan and Alex clean up the remaining trip reports from this summer and also discuss the underlying issues of sexual predators, abuse, and grooming in the amusement industry.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour - #202 Circus Peanut Regret
September 25, 2020 16:23 - 2 hours - 118 MBJoe is joined by Alex and Dan to discuss their last trip to the Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Laugh at Alex's misfortunes, amaze at Dan's Galaxy Edge impressions, wonder at an empty Magic Kingdom, and find out our impressions on Universal's Untitled 2020 Halloween Event including the two haunted houses.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #202 - Labor Days and Themed Coasters
September 11, 2020 02:59 - 2 hours - 65.2 MBJeff and Joe talk about daytime spooks rumors. Then we discuss our weird, stupid, and odd Labor Day trip to Kings Island and Cedar Point! Then we debate "what's the point of theming a rollercoaster?"
Immersive Irony Experience Theme Park Podcast: Riley Gale Memorial Episode
August 27, 2020 22:54 - 2 hours - 113 MBAlan and Alex talk about their weekend adventures in Pennsylvania (and technically New Jersey). Hershey talk! Dorney Talk? Land of Make Believe; is that a real place? Also ALAN WITH HERETICAL STATEMENTS. It's all coming to you this week on Parkscope.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour - #201 - Revenge Tourism #1
August 20, 2020 02:06 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBOG Crew is back as Joe, Mike, and Sean talk about how this year has destroyed all our plans and how to exact our revenge next year. Our plans for crazy resorts, decadent dinners, and superfluous splurges all around Walt Disney World and Univeral Orlando Resort.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #200 - Mourning HHN30 with Clint from ThrillGeek
July 25, 2020 02:57 - 1 hour - 28.8 MBWell... here we are. Joe is joined by Clint from ThrillGeek to talk about the cancelation of Halloween Horror Nights 30 in Orlando and Halloween Horror Nights 2020 in Hollywood. Come for the funeral, stay for the celebration.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #200 - Mourning HHN30 with Clint from Thrill Geek
July 25, 2020 02:57 - 1 hour - 28.8 MBWell... here we are. Joe is joined by Clint from Thrill Geek to talk about the cancelation of Halloween Horror Nights 30 in Orlando and Halloween Horror Nights 2020 in Hollywood. Come for the funeral, stay for the celebration.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #199 - Regional Park Reopen
July 16, 2020 20:25 - 1 hour - 103 MBIt's July and all our favorite regional parks are reopning! Joe, Alan, and Alex discuss the reopening days and new attractions this year at Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kennywood, and others. Plus we dive into how our plans have been turned upside down this summer and more.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #199 - Regional Parks Reopen
July 16, 2020 20:25 - 1 hour - 103 MBIt's July and all our favorite regional parks are reopning! Joe, Alan, and Alex discuss the reopening days and new attractions this year at Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kennywood, and others. Plus we dive into how our plans have been turned upside down this summer and more.
Immersive Irony Experience Theme Park Podcast: Last Sembalnce of Sanity Memorial Episode
July 02, 2020 10:00 - 2 hours - 130 MBAlex has trip reports to discuss from Candymonium at Hersheypark, PIgeon Forge, Dollywood, Helen Georiga, and Six Flags over Georgia.
Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #198 - Flower and Garden and Food and Wine with Chris Wakefield
June 25, 2020 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBJoe and Nick are joined by theme park podcasting legend Chris Wakefield to discuss the massive amount of Walt Disney World news dropped this week plus Chris' small trip to Florida, including his stay at Endless Summer and ride on Hagrid.